USCIS Updates

Eight civil rights groups sued USCIS and DHS, alleging their voter-investigation initiative intimidates naturalized citizens and seeking to stop investigations and ballot challenges.

DOJ filed denaturalization actions against 40 naturalized citizens, asking federal courts to revoke citizenship over alleged concealment or serious crimes.

USCIS’s pending naturalization caseload reached 813,453 in August as approvals fell and reported processing time rose to 12.7 months.

USCIS field offices approved 76% fewer naturalization applications in April–June 2026 as pending N-400 cases rose 40%.

Naturalization approvals fell sharply through July 2026, while more than 742,000 applications awaited decisions and DHS proposed higher filing fees.

DHS’s proposal to raise the N-400 fee to $1,330 and end reduced fees and waivers remains unfinalized, so current fees still apply.

Naturalization decisions and Cleveland oath ceremonies have declined amid USCIS delays and policy changes, while proposed fee increases could further affect applicants.

Authorities arrested a former USCIS officer and an alleged intermediary over claims they took bribes to manipulate immigration cases, potentially prompting individual file reviews.

Federal prosecutors charged a Miami man with allegedly falsifying disability certifications to help naturalization applicants bypass citizenship tests.

USCIS guidance effective August 5, 2026, tells officers to suggest DNA testing earlier when evidence of a claimed genetic relationship is insufficient.

DHS is preparing citizenship education standards and USCIS is considering third-party naturalization test administration, alongside a tougher civics test already in use.

USCIS resumed processing benefits for nationals of 39 countries after a federal court overturned policies freezing their applications.

DOJ filed civil denaturalization actions against 10 naturalized citizens over alleged criminal conduct and immigration fraud.